Well folks, the first day of testing is on the cards, and that means Formula 1 has officially started up for 2017. And with Formula 1 starts something else; a great tradition of competition, teamwork, strategy gambles and heartbreak. It is, of course...

The Planet F1 Top Three Championship of 2017

Now entering its 5th year as a competition on PF1, the Top Three Championship was first set up by PF1 member CarlPotter; unfortunately he stopped posting in 2014, and the competition became curated by Black_Flag_11, who did a great job taking us through two seasons of the championship. Sadly, life has gotten in the way for him as well, and as the first (and only) forumite to step forward, the curation of this noble competition fell to me for 2016 and beyond, until such time as I also inevitably burn out and turn to someone else for help.

The Rules

As laid down in the original competition - and amended slightly ahead of the 2016 season - here are the core rules of the Top Three Championship:

1st Place Correct: 5 Points2nd Place Correct: 3 Points3rd Place Correct: 1 Point

All Three Correct: 5 Bonus Points

There are no points given out for having the correct drivers in the wrong order, so if you choose Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso, but it comes out Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton, then I'm afraid you score nothing.

NOTE: Effective from the start of the 2016 season, the time limit to submit your picks has been extended to any time before the official beginning of FP3. Any changes or any new entries made after the official start of FP3 will not count; this rule is not supposed to be flexible, although I have been known to let someone off for only 1 minute late.

You can only pick a driver once for any of the three positions. So you can't have Vettel, Vettel, Vettel.

At the end of the season, if there is a draw, the winner will be decided by whoever has achieved a "Perfect Prediction" the most number of times. A Perfect Prediction is, of course, getting all three correct. If that is equal, then it will come down to most rounds won and if that is equal, then the winner will be decided by the number of 1st Places correct, then 2nd, then 3rd... If it's still tied after that, then it will be declared a draw and the Championship will be shared.

In addition to these original rules, in 2014 we introduced a (highly popular!) team championship to the competition. The mechanism for the team championship (you can call it the constructor's if you want) is exactly like in F1; each team has two 'drivers', and their points totals are added together to determine the team's points. Team orders, collusion and plotting are all very much allowed and encouraged, provided everything stays within the bounds of friendly competition and no rules are broken. It's Formula One, after all!

Further adding to the spice of the championship, in 2016 we added a knockout cup to the competition. The knockout cup is run passively alongside the main Top Three Championship - one needs do nothing additional to participate. The knockout cup is curated by Jenson's Understeer, contingent upon his continued participation in the competition, and is described thusly:

After the first six races, the standings would be used to create a knockout tournament. Everybody who had participated in at least one of the first six races would be seeded according to their overall ranking, with the highest seeds receiving a bye into the last 16. How many exactly would depend on how many entrants we had, of course. Using the 21 participants we had last year as an example, the top 11 would advance to the last 16 with those ranked from 12 through to 21 taking part in the qualification round. In the qualification round, the highest seed would face the lowest seed (so 12 vs 21, 13 vs 20, etc.) and that system would continue for the rest of the tournament, with the highest remaining seed always facing the lowest remaining seed, second highest facing the second lowest and so on.

Each round would take place over three races (as below). It would therefore be a best two-out-of-three system. For each individual race, the points scored would be compared and the highest scorer in each match-up would win that race, giving them a win towards the two they need to advance. In the event of neither person winning two of the three races, we would have the following tiebreakers (applied in this order): most points scored over the three races; most perfect predictions over those three races; most 1st places over those three races; highest seed.

You may enter as a single competitor or find a partner and form a team; being part of a team is not a requirement for entering the championship, although without a teammate you won't be able to contest both titles. It is entirely possible to contest, and potentially even win, the knockout cup without a teammate. Entries will be accepted up until the Grand Prix weekend of Melbourne (defined as the start of FP1); late entries are possible, but not preferred.

And I'll be the first to post as well, continuing my shameful run of spamming my own thread! With my teammate of the last two seasons - the two-time champion GPG - unfortunately unaccounted for since late in season four, No Limit Excedrin Racing is searching for a second driver. Important qualifications include:

* Willing to discuss team strategy at least every now and then* Able to score points* Won't drop out halfway through the year under mysterious circumstances

If you believe you fit these criteria, feel free to put your name forward! No Limit Excedrin Racing is a championship-capable team, with the right #2 (err, I mean equal #1 of course!) driver to complete the lineup.

And I'll be the first to post as well, continuing my shameful run of spamming my own thread! With my teammate of the last two seasons - the two-time champion GPG - unfortunately unaccounted for since late in season four, No Limit Excedrin Racing is searching for a second driver. Important qualifications include:

* Willing to discuss team strategy at least every now and then* Able to score points* Won't drop out halfway through the year under mysterious circumstances

If you believe you fit these criteria, feel free to put your name forward! No Limit Excedrin Racing is a championship-capable team, with the right #2 (err, I mean equal #1 of course!) driver to complete the lineup.

I think we should team up. We're clearly on the same wavelength; after all, we did make exactly the same selections for the Group Pick'em game last year. Admittedly one of us did do a better job with our joker usage, and while I think it's for the best that I refrain from naming names, I can assure you that if you pick me as your teammate, I wouldn't lord my superior joker picks over you during every strategy meeting. A pretty good offer, wouldn't you agree?

Not to mention we're both former team Champions hungry for a return to former glory after a dismal 2016...

I'm on board for a go again. Very happy to hook up with my chassis supplier mcdo again but I have to admit I'm having a bit of bother with the oil tank on my duff PU so can understand if he wishes to switch suppliers.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

I'm in as well. Hoping to actually improve compared to last season. Also if Black_Flag competes this year and wants to, we could team up again to try and defend the Constructors Championship.

Who are we, Rosberg? Of course we're defending it

Exediron, you can mark me and Mind Your Manors in

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

I think we should team up. We're clearly on the same wavelength; after all, we did make exactly the same selections for the Group Pick'em game last year. Admittedly one of us did do a better job with our joker usage, and while I think it's for the best that I refrain from naming names, I can assure you that if you pick me as your teammate, I wouldn't lord my superior joker picks over you during every strategy meeting. A pretty good offer, wouldn't you agree?

Not to mention we're both former team Champions hungry for a return to former glory after a dismal 2016...

I like it; hopefully our 'superteam' will be more Prost and Senna than Alonso and Button...

As for the jokers, I maintain most of them were good selections and I got very unlucky!

I'm in for season 2017 and i'm ready to commence negotiations with the mighty Herb for the lead drivers seat though I wouldn't blame him for wanting to shop his not insignificant talents around to rival teams.

I'm even prepared to relinquish the top bunk in the caravan and sole use of the two ply dunny paper if you sign on the dotted line Herb old boy.

_________________Question: If a compulsive liar tells you they're a compulsive liar, are they really a compulsive liar?

I am game! Let's see if I can defend my title.Unfortunately my partner Saz seems to be not online for a long time, hope everything okay with her. So I am in look out for a new partner.Please let me know if anyone interested to team up.

I'm in for season 2017 and i'm ready to commence negotiations with the mighty Herb for the lead drivers seat though I wouldn't blame him for wanting to shop his not insignificant talents around to rival teams.

I'm even prepared to relinquish the top bunk in the caravan and sole use of the two ply dunny paper if you sign on the dotted line Herb old boy.

Deal.

Let's see if we can pick up where we left off - a mighty charge up to 8th in the WCC!

I'm in for sure -- eager to see if I can better my rookie result last season!

Negotiations for the full return of Crash & Learn are still in progress, but unless TypingChicane has decided to seek more competetive pastures, the team is expected to make a comeback with their sights on the top five in the championship this season.

Crash & Learn is searching for a new second driver. Due to this being only the team's second season in the sport, the only requirement is being present for as many races as possible. Ability to score consistent points a plus. Team name going forward negotiable.

After high level and often delicate discussions with teammate Herb & our principle sponsor, Uncle Sal's Pharmaceutical Supplies & Adult Emporium (Located in an industrial estate near you. For this week only, buy a pill press and get 50% off a medical checkup from our selection of well equipped and thorough nurses) , it was decided that Lucky 13 racing would be re-badged to better reflect this dynamic, up and coming team.

From today Lucky 13 racing shall be known as Jalopy Racing.

Giddy up.

_________________Question: If a compulsive liar tells you they're a compulsive liar, are they really a compulsive liar?

And the newly-formed racing team Massa Attack, a tricky new outfit looking to trip up the opposition, is seeking applications for a no.1 driver, since theferret cannot be trusted to lead the team to victory. Team-mate requirements are as follows:1. Must be a human - can't stress the importance of this enough.2. Must be able to outscore theferret across the season - let's face it, you don't want to lose to him.3. Must be able to deal with the disappointment when theferret inevitably lets the team down...

If you've got the goods to keep the team safe from harm in this championship, come aboard! We may still have to pray for rain to ensure the results go our way and we don't finish dead-last, but let's hope not one teardrop will be shed at the end of the season. Who will be our angel?

Due to a not inconsiderable amount of pressure from our sponsors to better reflect their core values by projecting an image of greater responsibility, and after some deliberation, the team previously known as Crash & Learn will henceforth be known as Drive Sauber. We look forward to greater success (or at least equal success) under this new moniker! To support this change, the team's livery will no longer feature the fine web of cracks and dents that was applied to it before each race last season, to be replaced with a glossy design of unknown -- yet bright -- colour.

I'm on board for a go again. Very happy to hook up with my chassis supplier mcdo again but I have to admit I'm having a bit of bother with the oil tank on my duff PU so can understand if he wishes to switch suppliers.

Come on man we nearly pulled off a shock last year. Let's do this. McLotus going for gold

I'm on board for a go again. Very happy to hook up with my chassis supplier mcdo again but I have to admit I'm having a bit of bother with the oil tank on my duff PU so can understand if he wishes to switch suppliers.

Come on man we nearly pulled off a shock last year. Let's do this. McLotus going for gold

Let's start with a risky podium

Oz

1. Vettel2. Hamilton3. Ricciardo

#BelieveinMcLotus

1. Hamilton2. Vettel3. Raikkonen

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

I'm on board for a go again. Very happy to hook up with my chassis supplier mcdo again but I have to admit I'm having a bit of bother with the oil tank on my duff PU so can understand if he wishes to switch suppliers.

Come on man we nearly pulled off a shock last year. Let's do this. McLotus going for gold

Good to see you guys back - McLotus is too legendary of a name to lose from the grid!